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US5115667A
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US
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Circuit for processing a signal received by an electron multiplier
Assignee: Alcatel CIT SA
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Filing: 1990-06-11
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Granted: 1992-05-26
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Expires: 2010-06-11
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a circuit for processing a signal received by an electron multiplier. The circuit comprises an electron multiplier followed by an electron collector, a power supply for the electron multiplier, a gain-compressing amplifier for processing the signal delivered by the electron collector, and a feedback path for continuously modulating the gain of the electron multiplier by means of a control circuit which acts on the HT power supply of the electron multiplier. This circuit is particularly suitable for use in mass spectrometry and in helium leak detection.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilles Baret
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/02; H01J49/022; G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/28; H01J43/00; H01J43/04; H01J43/06; H01J43/18; H01J43/24; H01J43/246; H01J43/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A circuit for processing an input signal received by an electron multiplier, enabling said signal to be measured continuously over a large dynamic measurement range while using a single method of processing, said circuit comprising said electron multiplier receiving the input signal, and wherein said circuit further comprises a high voltage power supply for said electron multiplier, a linear amplifier, said high voltage power supply being controlled by said linear amplifier, said linear amplifier having a negative slope, the gain and reference parameters of said linear amplifier defining said measurement range, and a gain-compressing logarithmic amplifier, said linear amplifier receiving the output of said gain-compressing logarithmic amplifier and said gain-compressing logarithmic amplifier acting on said linear amplifier in such a manner as to vary the gain of said electron multiplier continuously over the entire dynamic measurement range as a function of the output signal from said electron multiplier, as received by an electron collector, the output of said gain-compressing logarithmic amplifier also being the output signal of said circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A circuit for processing an input signal received by an electron multiplier, enabling said signal to be measured continuously over a large dynamic measurement range while using a single method of processing, said circuit comprising said electron multiplier receiving the input signal, and wherein said circuit further comprises a high voltage power supply for said electron multiplier, a linear amplifier, said high voltage power supply being controlled by said linear amplifier, said linear amplifier having a negative slope, the gain and reference parameters of said linear amplifier defining said measurement range, and a gain-compressing logarithmic amplifier, said linear amplifier receiving the output of said gain-compressing logarithmic amplifier and said gain-compressing logarithmic amplifier acting on said linear amplifier in such a manner as to vary the gain of said electron multiplier continuously over the entire dynamic measurement range as a function of the output signal from said electron multiplier, as received by an electron collector, the output of said gain-compressing logarithmic amplifier also being the output signal of said circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A signal processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein a transfer function between the input signal and the output signal has a logarithmic function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A signal processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the gain of the electron multiplier varies exponentially as a function of its power supply tension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A signal processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the electron multiplier is a microchannel plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Application of the circuit for processing a signal received by an electron multiplier according to claim 1 to mass spectrometry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Application of the circuit for processing the signal received by an electron multiplier according to claim 1, for detecting leaks by using helium as a marker gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4823004A
Cited
US4996422A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-26 | 1995-11-25 | 1996-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-11-25 | 2000-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-26 | 2003-11-25 | 2004-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |